Ylla Gosney’s team of Oklahoma premises liability lawyers are committed to helping victims of slip-and-fall accidents on store properties throughout the state. Large and unhelpful corporations like Walmart may not have your best interests in mind after an accident, which is why we are here to demand financial support for you and stand up to the big insurance companies. To find out how we can assist you, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Slip-And-Fall Accident?
It is true that some personal injury claims can be handled without an attorney, especially if the injuries and property damage were incredibly minor. However, there are some cases where having the help of an attorney can be necessary and beneficial. You may need the help of a lawyer if the following statements are true:
- The accident was partially or completely caused by another party.
- Your accident required a hospital stay or follow-up visits.
- You were forced to miss time at work due to your accident.
- Your accident and injuries otherwise impact your life in various ways.
Because Walmart employs large insurers to handle slip-and-fall claims, having an attorney on your side can benefit you greatly as you move forward with a case. An attorney can help you maximize the compensation that you receive and ensure that all damages are included.
What Are Some Slip-and-Fall Dangers at Oklahoma Walmart Stores?
Oklahoma is home to over 130 Walmart stores. With so many shopping opportunities, many people do not think about the dangers that could be lurking inside these stores. Walmart owes its customers a duty of care to keep them safe from harm at all times. However, dangers still happen annually at these stores, such as the following obstacles:
- Spills from liquids and foods in aisles
- Small boxes and merchandise left on the floor in aisles that cause trip hazards
- Water sprayers and melting food from broken refrigeration units leaking onto floors
- Parking lot hazards
- Cracked and broken sidewalks and floors inside Walmart
Any of these hazards can quickly lead to a slip-and-fall where the store owner, staff, or another party could be liable. Walmart is expected to watch out for hazards so that they can be prevented and repaired when they pop up.
How Can I Prove That Walmart is Responsible for My Accident?
When a hazardous condition leads to a slip-and-fall accident in an Oklahoma Walmart, you will need to show that Walmart is responsible for the hazard and that they are, therefore, liable for your damages. To prove that Walmart was negligent, you must be able to show the following:
- You must be able to find a responsible (liable) party. It can be complicated to know who to hold accountable for your accident but some of these parties can include the Walmart store itself, a manager, or a staff member.
- You need to show that the store did not take proper care of its property and that this lack of care led to your injury.
- You have to show, through evidence, that your accident actually led to injuries. By keeping medical records and documents that relate to your injury, you can make a claim.
- You have to demonstrate that Walmart’s actions or lack of action contributed to your accident and injuries in some way.
Why Shouldn’t I Face Walmart on My Own After an Accident?
Any attorney knows that facing Walmart and any large corporation is not easy to do. Because of the complexities involved in these cases, it is not always easy to recover money from Walmart that you may deserve. Here are some of the reasons why this is so:
- Size: Walmart is known for being one of the largest retailers in the U.S. This means that it can be incredibly difficult to sue Walmart, as they tend to hire large defense lawyers to help them in the midst of a claim.
- Self-Insuring: Walmart is such a large company that it has created its own company to handle any personal injury claims against them. Since Walmart is paying out with their own money instead of an insurer’s money, they will do whatever it takes to pay as little as possible to injured parties.
- Aggressive: Walmart will attempt to negotiate you down to as little as possible so that it is hard for you to get money out of them. This is why you need the help of an experienced attorney on your side to help you build your claim from the ground up and retain the best evidence you can to support yourself.
It is also important that you remember there are limited time restraints to file a claim against Walmart known as Oklahoma’s statute of limitations. In Oklahoma, the statute of limitations is two years for filing a claim from the time that you discover your injury. If you wait any longer, you could be barred from filing a lawsuit altogether. It is crucial that you act quickly and speak with a lawyer immediately for the best results.
What Damages Are Available After an Oklahoma Slip-and-Fall?
Once you speak with an Oklahoma personal injury lawyer, you will work on collecting evidence that can be useful in your future claim. From there, negotiation will start so that your attorney can help you receive the financial support that is fair for you. Some of the types of recovery you may be eligible for include the following:
- Medical expenses you have incurred or expect to incur in the future
- Disability benefits if you have sustained a serious or permanent injury
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress damages
- Travel expenses to and from your doctor’s visits
- Loss of income and benefits due to missed time at work
- Property damage caused by the accident
Even if you were not more than 50% at fault for your accident, you can recover compensation under Oklahoma’s contributory negligence laws. The damages that you receive could be reduced by your percentage of fault, however. Speaking with a lawyer can ensure that you receive maximum recovery for the losses you have suffered.
Contact an Oklahoma Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Today
At Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law, we will stand by your side and help you get back on your feet after you have been injured in a slip-and-fall accident at Walmart. We understand that it can be overwhelming to face one of these accidents and the aftermath of a complex personal injury claim. We will work with you to hold all responsible parties accountable for your losses. Contact us today to set up a no-obligation case consultation so that you can get started.
